Aaron's Blessing

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

“Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

And Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have done nothing but bless them.”

Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.

And Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.”

Balaam's Third Oracle

When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face toward the wilderness.

He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.”

And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times.